German climate activists face charges for 'forming a criminal organization'

Five members of the German climate group Letzte Generation have been charged with "forming a criminal organization," potentially setting a precedent for criminalizing climate protests.

Damien Gayle reports for The Guardian.

In short:

• Five activists are charged under section 129 of the German criminal code for actions against oil refineries, an airport, and a museum.
• The activists claim their protests were non-violent and open, arguing that such charges threaten democratic rights to peaceful protest.
• Amnesty International warns that a conviction could criminalize any support for Letzte Generation, escalating the criminalization of climate protests.

Key quote:

“This charge is meant for mafia and organised crime. This charge criminalises every act of support towards the group Letzte Generation. This creates an immense chilling effect on all climate protests in Germany.”

— Mirjam Herrmann, Letzte Generation activist

Why this matters:

The charges against Letzte Generation could deter future climate activism by equating non-violent protest with organized crime. This could undermine democratic freedoms of speech and assembly, setting a troubling legal precedent.